Two new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus reported in British Columbia

British Columbia has reported two more presumed positive
instances of the coronavirus in the province

Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, the BC Provincial Health Officer have update the public on the latest results of two new cases of novel coronavirus to be reported in the province.

The Statement issued this afternoon notes that the two cases come from the same household and have affected people who have been in close contact with a previously reported second confirmed case.

“The two individuals are presumed positive based on local testing, and samples have been sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for final confirmation. One individual is male, the other female, and both are in their 30s. They are visitors to the Vancouver Coastal Health region from Hubei province, China."

In addition to the advisory on the recent cases, the Province has also called for tolerance from Britis Columbians and to avoid any speculation and unfounded fears.

“Now is the time for tolerance. We call on all British Columbians to come together as a community to help one another. In this time of uncertainty, this is not only the right response, but the necessary one. Fear obstructs the important work of our public health officials to protect the health and safety of British Columbians. 

The most important measures to prevent all respiratory illnesses, including this novel coronavirus, remain cleaning your hands regularly and avoiding touching your face, as well as coughing or sneezing into your elbow sleeve, disposing of tissues appropriately and staying home and away from others if you become sick."

You can review the full statement from the Province and Public Health Office here.

You can keep up with some of the international developments from  our political blog D'Arcy McGee where we have been tracking some of the international stories related to the coronavirus.

In British Columbia, residents can find out more information on the virus as well as on any changes to the situation in this province from the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Should there be any need for information for Northwest residents, those details will be relayed through Northern Health.

Northern Health website
Northern Health Facebook page

For more notes on Health in the region see our archive page here.

For up to date notes on the Canadian and British Columbia response to the virus see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.